Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-10
TOOMBS' CHANCE.
Was the Georgian Offered the Con
federate Presidency?
From tie Ne,o YORK. World.

from the augusta (Gd.) Chronicle.
Mr.. j. c. Derby, of New York, permits
the editor of the Chronicle to make public
the following letter never before in print:
BEAUvofR, MISS, lst Sept. 1885.
. MY DEAR SIR-Your kind letter lnclosing
reported interview with Gen. Robert loom bs,
would have been sooner ackno vi lodged but
for my absence from home during a large
part of last month. The same canse with
numerous engrosslng engagements, VIII ex-
plain to you why have done nothing on the
work TO which you allude.
The logic of Gen. Toombs remarks will
hardly commend itself to q severe analysis.
The conclusion to be drawn from his view
would be that military education unified
a man for military command. but qualified
him for civil administration, and hence il
would follow that graduates of tho military
academy should only be employed as civil
magistrates. and that Generals for the army
should be sought for in the literary colleges,
or perhaps in the theological Summaries
We had many distinguished Generals whose
previous life had been passed, as we have
eminent Bishops, who were bred as soldiers
but not therefore in either one case or the
other.
2With characteristic consistency he finds the
two men fitted to be President of the Con-
federacy among the graduates of West Point
SO far very good for his theory, but then he
finds Gen. u. s. Grant the greatest soldier
produced by the war. lie was also a gradu-
ate OF our military academy. might retort
on MIR. Toombs' criticism of myself as a civil
executive by reciting his career as a soldier,
but forbear.
In regard to Gen. Toombs having refused
the Presidency OF the provisional government
OF the Confederate states, must admit that
he was In a better position TO know the facts
OF the case than myself, as he was present
when the election was held, and, as a mem
Der OF the provisional Congress. was party
to the canvass and hnal choice, while | was
far away engaged in the duties entrusted TO
me by the convention OF Mississippi, by which
/ was appointed Commander In Chief of the
army OF the State. IL is n pity. however,
considering the reward due to the self
abnegation OF MIR. 1oombs, and TO the
historical Importance of the matter.
that he has not more specially stated in
what manner and by whom the offer which
he declined was made TO him, especially so
since others who. ike MIR. ToOmba. were
members Of the Provisional Congress, were
present and participating in the election.
have published statements which show that
they were moi aware that the offer was made,
which SIR. TOOmbs, IN his self denial, de-
cliued should you feel interest In looking
further into the matter you will find some Of
the published statements OF members OF tile
Provisional Congress at PIP. 286 ct seq. vol. /,
"Rise and Fail OF the Confederate Govern
ment"
II have indicted upon you a longer letter
than was expected or desired, on q subject of
SO little general interest. YOU must attribute
It 10 your friendly manifestations. and be-
lieve Me respectfully and truly yours.
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
A full line of Gents Kid Gloves at Bel